Adjustable post support

ABSTRACT

An adjustable post support ( 10 ) for use in supporting a post vertically above the ground. The support may include a lower spike portion ( 12 ) and an upper bracket portion ( 14 ). The lower spike portion may include an upper end. The bracket portion may include a curved dome ( 22 ) and an upstanding sleeve ( 32 ) extending upwardly therefrom. The curved dome may nest with the upper end of the spike to provide a ball and socket type connection between the lower spike portion and the upper bracket portion. A fastening device ( 52, 54 ) may be used for tightening the upper bracket and lower spike portion together and a support table ( 60 ) may be located inside the sleeve.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of structural supports and inparticular to an adjustable post support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, fence posts are held in position by digging a large openingin the ground, filling the opening with concrete and before the concretehas an opportunity to set, locating the bottom end of the fence post inthe concrete.

The above process is very labor intensive and requires special workingtools such as augers and the like for digging the ground out to receivethe concrete base for the post.

Attempts have been made to make it easier to embed the base of a fencepost or any other type of ground support post. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 2,706,967 discloses an anchoring stake having a ground engagingspike with a movable pin extending therefrom. The pin has a pivot ballon one end with a registering fitting secured to the spike. A lead ringis formed on the pin opposite end to which a pet lead can be attached.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,715 discloses a sign supporting apparatus having aground engaging portion and an integral support post and end cap armsupport from which a sign can be hung. The support post is slid up anddown on the upstanding ground engagement portion of the device drivingsame downwardly into the ground. The end cap support arm for the sign isthen inserted to the upstanding post portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,157 is directed to a post support having a groundengagement portion and an integral post receiving portion extendingtherefrom. The post receiving portion has a plurality of locking tabswithin that wedgeably secure the post positioned within.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,142 shows an awning anchor having a groundengagement screw portion and a pivoted awning arm mount extendingtherefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,149 discloses a fence post holder having a bottomspike which is embedded into a ground supporting surface with a bracketfixed to the top of the spike for receiving the base of a fence post.

Although the spikes disclosed above can easily be driven into theground, such spikes may be driven at something other than a verticalangle. This may be unavoidable because of a number of factors including,the slope of the ground surface, underground impediments, such as rocks,which may deflect the spike, or simply through misjudgment by the personembedding the spike. As a result, the fence-post supported atop thespike may extend upwardly at a skewed angle from vertical. This isparticularly noticeable for relatively tall fence posts, and adverselyaffects the overall construction of the fencing supported by such posts.

Many have attempted to overcome the drawbacks noted immediately above.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,874 discloses a post support with alower spike portion and an upper bracket portion. However, unlike theearlier construction in the '149 patent, the bracket portion in the '874patent is adjustable relative to the spike portion. This allows forupright positioning of the fence post even if the spike portion is notdriven vertically into the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,677 discloses a similar post support to thatdisclosed in the '874 patent and includes post stop tabs extendingwithin a sleeve in spaced relation to a fixation fastener.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,390 discloses a post holder formed by a lower spikeportion and an upper bracket portion; the bracket portion beingconnected to the spike portion at an adjustable connection formed by acurved seat at the upper end of the spike portion and a curved base atthe bottom end of the bracket portion.

European Pat No. EP0657604 discloses a post engagement portion having acontoured swivel base which is registerable on a secondary swivel basesecured to a ground engagement portion. The two contoured surfaces areinter-engaged and held to one another by a pair of oppositely disposedfasteners extending through elongated slots in the respective baseportion to allow for the angle orientation of the top portion.

Although the device disclosed in European Pat No. EP0657604 allows forthe angle orientation of a top portion, no device is provided to elevatethe fence post away from the pair of oppositely disposed fastenersextending through elongated slots in the respective base portion.

In the '874 patent, the spike portion has a flat upper surface whichreceives a curved lower surface on the bracket portion. This connectionis what allows adjustment of the bracket portion. However, because thetwo surfaces do not properly mate with one another, it is essentiallyimpossible to secure them with one another in a manner which precludesundesirable deflection of the bracket portion when it is subjected toload applied to it by the fence post.

In the '677 patent, the post stop tabs are used to support the fencepost away from fastening means within the sleeve. However, such tabs maybe susceptible to bending while the fence post is within the sleeve,ultimately defeating their intended purpose.

In the '390 patent, the curved seat at the upper end of the spikeportion and the curved base at the bottom end of the bracket portioncurve downwardly and towards the lower spike portion. Because of thiscurvature, moisture may pool at the bottom of the respective curvedbases which could adversely affect the functionality of the device.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved post support providing easein installation, and which overcomes the deficiencies noted above. Otherobjects of the invention will be apparent from the description thatfollows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided anadjustable post support for supporting a post above the ground. Thesupport may include a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion.The lower spike portion may include an upper end with a first curveddome. The bracket portion may include a second curved dome correspondingto the first curved dome and an upstanding sleeve extending upwardlytherefrom. The first and second domes may nest with one another toprovide a ball and socket type connection between the lower spikeportion and the upper bracket portion. A fastening device may be usedfor tightening the first and second domes together and a support tablemay be located inside the sleeve.

The first and second curved domes may each curve outwardly and away fromthe lower spike portion and may each define a central opening for thefastening device to fit through. The fastening device may include athreaded nut and a threaded bolt which fits through the central openingsin the domes.

At least one wall of the sleeve may define a slot adjacent the secondcurved dome.

The spike portion may be a plurality of spike blades joined centrally ofthe spike portion with one another.

The sleeve may include upstanding walls. The support table may include asupport face oriented substantially perpendicular to the walls of thesleeve and a support member extending substantially perpendicularly fromthe support face towards the second curved dome. The support table maybe above the fastening device and each of the central openings of eachof the curved domes. The support table may include a central openingabove the fastening device.

The post support may further include at least one pair of opposed,parallel and spaced flanges extending outwardly from an adjacent pair ofside walls of the sleeve, the flanges being adapted to be drawn towardone another.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided anadjustable post support for use in supporting a post vertically abovethe ground. The support may include a lower spike portion and an upperbracket portion. The lower spike portion may include an upper end. Thebracket portion may include a curved dome and an upstanding sleeveextending upwardly therefrom. The curved dome may nest with the upperend of the spike to provide a ball and socket type connection betweenthe lower spike portion and the upper bracket portion. A fasteningdevice may be used for tightening the upper bracket and lower spikeportion together and a support table may be located inside the sleeve.

Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to thedetailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims thatfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by referenceto the drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a fence including uprightfence posts secured in position by fence post supports made inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away view of the connection region between anupper bracket portion and a lower spike portion of the post support ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the post support of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the post support of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the top bracket and fastening deviceof the post support along line 4-4 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the topbracket and fastening device of the post support along line 4-4 of FIG.4; and

FIG. 7 is a partial cut-away view of a second embodiment of theconnection region between an upper bracket portion and a lower spikeportion of the post support of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a section of a fence generally indicated at F. This fenceis formed by a pair of cross members CM held in position by uprightfence posts FP. The fence posts are secured to a ground supportingsurface by means of adjustable post supports generally indicated at 10.

The adjustable post supports 10 are formed by a lower spike portiongenerally indicated at 12 and an upper bracket portion generallyindicated at 14. Spike portion 12 embeds into the ground and bracketportion 14 sits above ground level for receiving the bottom end of anyone of the fence posts FP.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3 and 7, the spike portion 12 is formed by aplurality of tines or blades 16 which join centrally of the spikeportion as indicated at 18 and diverge outwardly from their centralconnection. In the present embodiment, blades 16 may be formed byseparate blades welded together at the central connection 18 or theblades may be formed from a unitary structure.

Each of the blades 16 has an upper end 20. Preferably, as illustrated inFIGS. 2-3, the upper end 20 is secured to a lower dome 22. A recess 24is formed by the plurality of blades 16 adjacent the upper portion ofthe lower spike 12 and directly below the upper end 20. The lower dome22 curves upwardly and outwardly away from the recess 24 and includes acentral opening 26 which aligns with the recess.

The upper bracket portion 14 includes an upper dome generally indicatedat 28. The upper dome 28 has a corresponding curvature to the lower dome22 and also includes a central opening 30. Accordingly, the upper dome28 and lower dome 22 interfit in a ball and socket type manner with oneanother.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in another embodiment, the upper dome 28 maysimply interfit in a ball and socket type manner with the upper end 20of the lower spike portion 12 without the benefit of the lower dome 22.In such an embodiment, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, theupper dome 28 will be curved to allow it to slidably move across theupper end 20 of the lower spike 12. The upper end 20, in this instancemay also be formed to facilitate the movement of the upper dome 22.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the upper bracket portion 14 also includes anupstanding sleeve 32 connected to the upper dome 28. The sleeve 32includes a plurality of side walls; in this embodiment, four side walls34, 36, 38 and 40, which are preferably welded to the upper dome 28 inan upstanding vertically aligned fashion. As those skilled in the artwill appreciate, the sleeve 32 is not limited to four side walls and mayin fact be comprised of an infinite number; that is, a sleeve circularin cross-section as viewed from above. Side walls 34 and 36 includeslots 42 and 44, respectively, the purpose of which will be described indetail later. Preferably, the sleeve 32 is formed from a single piece ofmetal rather than being formed separately then welded, so as to minimizethe risk of failure of such welds.

Walls 34 and 40 further comprise flange portions 46 and 48 respectively,extending diagonally outward from a corner of the sleeve 32,substantially parallel to each other. Bolts 50 or the like may beinserted through holes (not shown) in each of flange portions 46 and 48.Bolts 50 may be tightened so as to reduce the cross sectional size ofthe sleeve 32, thereby holding a post firmly in place inside the sleeve.It will also be appreciated that as a result of this flange tighteningarrangement, side wall 34 strictly speaking does not extend between sidewall 38 and side wall 40 but more precisely it extends between side wall38 and the flanged opening between side wall 34 and side wall 40.

The size of the sleeve 32, and the post support as a whole, may bevaried in order to accommodate different standard sizes of dimensionedlumber. Preferably, the spacing between walls 34 and 36 and betweenwalls 38 and 40 is chosen to correspond to standard widths of cutlumber, for example 3 and ½ inches to accommodate 4″×4″ lumber in thesleeve.

Fastening means are provided to fasten the top bracket 14 and lowerspike portion 12 together. As those skilled in the art will appreciate,fastening means may include clamps, pins, and locking bars. Preferably,the fastening means includes a nut and bolt combination. In particular,the nut and bolt combination includes a nut 52 which locks againstrotation in the recess 24 at the upper end of the spike portion 12, anda bolt 54. The bolt 54 fits through a lock washer 56, the centralopening 30 in the upper dome 28, the central opening 26 in the lowerdome 22, and into the nut 52. The bolt head 58 is exposed for tighteningthe bolt 54 with the nut 52 while the bottom end of the fence post is inthe bracket portion 14.

Preferably, to provide support for the nut 52 and to prevent the nutfrom shifting from side-to side when in place, the central opening 26 ofthe lower dome 22 and/or recess 24 may be dimensioned to be just largeenough to enable the nut to fit through.

The central opening 30 of the upper dome 28 is preferably dimensioned toprovide the upper dome with the greatest degree of movement as it isslidably moved across the plane of the lower dome 22, or upper end 20 asthe case may be, while the bolt 54 is in place. As such, lock washer 56is preferably dimensioned to cover the central opening 30 of the upperdome 28 as the upper dome is slidably moved along its entire range ofmotion.

As noted above, nut 52 is locked against rotation in recess 24 becauseof the abutment of the shoulders of the nut with the interior faces ofthe blades 16 around the recess 24. Accordingly, the nut 52 will notturn as bolt 54 is threaded into the nut by a tool for tightening theconnection between the bracket portion 14 and the spike portion 12.

Referring to FIGS. 5 & 6, to support the fence post in the sleeve 32away from bolt head 58, the sleeve includes a support table 60. Thesupport table 60 has a support face 62 which is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the side walls 34, 36, 38 and 40 and is preferablydimensioned to fit substantially across the sleeve 32 to prevent thesupport table from shifting within the sleeve.

The support face 62 may simply be a piece welded within the side walls34, 36, 38 and 40, as illustrated in FIG. 6. To provide support to thesupport face 62, the support face preferably includes support members 64and 66 extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. In thisembodiment, when the support table 60 is inserted into the sleeve 32,the support members 64 and 66 may frictionally engage the side walls 38and 40, respectively. As such, support table 60, when placed properly,will be retained at the bottom of the bracket 14. To increase thefrictional engagement, the support members 64 and 66 may be pulled awayfrom one-another before the support table 60 is inserted into the sleeve32. Spot welds 70 may also be used to further secure the support table60 inside the bracket 14. As those skilled in the art will appreciate,the exact dimensions of the support table may be altered to accommodatevarious sized fence posts and may not necessarily be held in placeinside the bracket 14.

Support members 64 and 66 are preferably dimensioned to support thesupport face 62 just above the bolt head 58. Support table 60 includes acentral opening 5 which is preferably dimensioned to allow a user accesswith a tool, for example, a ratchet wrench, to the bolt head 58. Duringfabrication of the support post 10, the central opening 68 may also beaccessed to install the bolt 54. Preferably, support table 60 is formedfrom a single piece of metal rather than being formed separately.

Other means of supporting the fence post in the sleeve 32 away from bolthead 58 are contemplated. For example, a shelf may be built insidesleeve 32 along the inside of side walls 34, 36, 38 and 40. The shelfmay be integrally formed with the side walls or may be welded to them.Alternatively, a through bolt may be inserted through hole 70 extendingthrough side walls 34 and 36.

Operation

To drive the post support 10 into ground, a user simply places a shortpiece of lumber into the sleeve 32 of the upper bracket 14. Because thepost support 10 is used in the construction of fences, decks and thelike, a plentiful supply of such lumber should be available for use indriving the post support into the ground. After the post support 10 hasbeen put in place, the lumber used to drive in the post support may beused in construction of the intended structure, burned or otherwisedisposed of.

When the spike 12 is embedded into the ground with its axis being angledoff from vertical, the fence post needs to be axially off-set from thespike in order to have the fence post sit perfectly vertically. This isachieved by angling the bracket 14 portion relative to the spike portion12 such that the bracket itself is completely vertical. According to thepresent invention, such an adjustment is easily accomplished as a resultof the above described ball and socket type connection, i.e. theconnection between the upper dome 28 of the bracket 14 with the lowerdome 22 or upper end 20 of the spike portion 12, as the case may be.

With respect to the embodiment which utilizes a lower dome, regardlessof the amount of adjustment between the two domes, there is always asubstantial surface contact area between the two of them. This largesurface contact area ensures a very large frictional engagement betweenthe two domes once the nut and bolt fastener has been tightly securedinto position. This further ensures that the bracket 14 portion willmaintain its vertical orientation even under heavy load on the fencepost.

Once a desired angle has been achieved, normally a true verticalalignment of the post within the sleeve 32, a user inserts a toolthrough slot 42 or 44, whichever slot is more easily accessible, andtightens bolt 54 down against the upper dome 28. Alternatively, beforethe fence post is inserted into the sleeve 32, the user may access thebolt 54 via central opening 68 of table support 60.

It will be evident from the above description that with the lower spikeportion 12 driven into the ground the upper bracket 14 can be positionedvertically as desired by the adjusting the upper dome 28. The upper dome28 which is slidably movable over the lower dome 22 or upper end 20, ashereinbefore described, is locked into place by tightening the bolt 54using a tool which is inserted through slot 42 of side wall 34, or slot44 of side wall 36, or through central opening 68 of support table 60.It will thus be seen that a new and novel adjustable fence post anchorhas been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. An adjustable post support for supporting a post above the groundcomprising: a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion, saidlower spike portion comprising an upper end with a first curved dome,said bracket portion comprising a second curved dome corresponding tosaid first curved dome and an upstanding sleeve extending upwardlytherefrom, said first and second domes nesting with one another toprovide a ball and socket type connection between said lower spikeportion and said upper bracket portion; fastening means for tighteningof said first and second domes together; and a support table inside saidsleeve.
 2. The post support of claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprisesupstanding side walls and said support table comprises a support faceoriented substantially perpendicular to said walls and a support memberextending substantially perpendicularly from said support face towardssaid second curved dome.
 3. The post support of claim 1 wherein saidfirst and second curved domes curve outwardly and away from said spikeportion.
 4. The post support of claim 1 wherein said first and secondcurved domes each include a central opening.
 5. The post support ofclaim 4 wherein said fastening means fits through said central openingsof said first and second domes.
 6. The post support of claim 5 whereinsaid support table is above said fastening means and each of saidcentral openings of said first and second domes.
 7. The post support ofclaim 4 wherein said support table is above each of said centralopenings of said first and second domes.
 8. The post support of claim 1wherein said support table includes a central opening.
 9. The postsupport of claim 1 wherein at least one of said walls of said sleevedefines a slot adjacent said second curved dome.
 10. The post support ofclaim 1 wherein said spike portion comprises a plurality of spike bladesjoined centrally of said spike portion with one another.
 11. The postsupport of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a threaded nutand a threaded bolt.
 12. An adjustable post support for supporting apost above the ground comprising: a lower spike portion and an upperbracket portion, said lower spike portion comprising an upper end with afirst curved dome, said bracket portion comprising a second curved domecorresponding to said first curved dome and an upstanding sleeveextending upwardly therefrom, said first and second domes nesting withone another to provide a ball and socket type connection between saidlower spike portion and said upper bracket portion; fastening means fortightening of said first and second domes together; a support tableinside said sleeve; and at least one pair of opposed, parallel andspaced flanges extending outwardly from an adjacent pair of side wallsof said sleeve, said flanges being adapted to be drawn toward oneanother.
 13. The post support of claim 12 wherein said first and secondcurved domes curve outwardly and away from said spike portion.
 14. Thepost support of claim 12 wherein said first and second curved domes eachinclude a central opening.
 15. The post support of claim 14 wherein saidfastening means fits through said central openings of said first andsecond domes.
 16. The post support of claim 12 wherein at least one ofsaid walls of said sleeve defines a slot adjacent said second curveddome.
 17. The post support of claim 12 wherein said spike portioncomprises a plurality of spike blades joined centrally of said spikeportion with one another.
 18. The post support of claim 12 wherein saidfastening means comprises a threaded nut and a threaded bolt.
 19. Anadjustable post support for supporting a post above the groundcomprising: a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion, saidlower spike portion having an upper end with a first curved dome, saidbracket portion having a second curved dome corresponding to said firstcurved dome and an upstanding sleeve extending upwardly therefrom, saidfirst and second domes nesting with one another to provide a ball andsocket type connection between said lower spike portion and said upperbracket portion; fastening means for tightening of said first and seconddomes together; and a support table inside said sleeve, said supporttable comprising a support face oriented substantially perpendicular towalls of said sleeve and a support member extending substantiallyperpendicularly from said support face towards said second curved dome.20. An adjustable post support for supporting a post above the groundcomprising: a lower spike portion and an upper bracket portion, saidlower spike portion comprising an upper end, said bracket portioncomprising a curved dome and an upstanding sleeve extending upwardlytherefrom, said curved dome nesting with said upper end of said lowerspike portion to provide a ball and socket type connection between saidlower spike portion and said upper bracket portion; fastening means fortightening of said upper bracket and lower spike portion together; and asupport table inside said sleeve.
 21. A kit for supporting a post abovethe ground, said kit comprising: a lower spike portion and an upperbracket portion, said lower spike portion comprising an upper end, saidbracket portion comprising a curved dome and an upstanding sleeveextending upwardly therefrom, said curved dome adapted to nest with saidupper end of said lower spike portion to provide a ball and socket typeconnection between said lower spike portion and said upper bracketportion; fastening means for tightening of said upper bracket sand lowerspike portion together; and a support table inside said sleeve.